Effects. of Change Orders through Technical Programs on Construction Projects in Jordan

Regarding construction projects, no project is implemented exactly as planned. Changes in construction projects are common due to the dynamic nature of the construction process. It is necessary to use effective and appropriate tools by project management to support decision-making and control changes during all stages of project implementation. This study examined the effects of change orders through technical programs on construction projects in Jordan and focused on how to overcome these effects by making usual orders that can be handled by each of the contracting parties. Also, this study added an advantage by not addressing the negative effects of change orders, but it provided many positive effects of change orders by using technical programs method, which has not been yet researched in Jordanian studies in particular, and in global studies in general. The researcher used descriptive analytical method by interviews to collect data through nine questions to a random sample of 30 engineers selected form constructions projects in Jordan. The results related to the study questions on the effect of change orders through technical programs on construction projects in Jordan showed that, most of the study samples confirm that change orders through technical programs decrease the cost of the projects, cause no need for more materials, cause no delay in the completion schedule, enhances the quality of work, and increase the productivity of the work force. The study recommended applying integrated change management system with technical supports form different technologies, developing effective innovative and practical solution to manage change orders and increase training programs to qualify and increase engineering skills in dealing with ICT （information and communication technologies） program.

Causes,Effects,and Control Measures of Construction Change Orders in the U.S.

Change orders have a significant impact on many aspects of construction projects.They are known to be the primary cause of litigation in the construction industry.Change orders are almost inevitable due to the uniqueness of each project from many perspectives,such as the type of building,complexity of the design,human factors,and the available resources.Change orders are the formal mechanism to implement design changes during the execution phase.These changes are usually the outcome of lack of visualization by the owner,misunderstanding,miscommunication between different parties involved in the project,shortage in resources,and other factors.This research aims to investigate and rank causes,effects,and control measures of change orders in the construction industry in the U.S.This research presents the results of a questionnaire surveying owners,contractors,and consultants.A total of 123 industry professionals in the Architecture,Engineering,and Construction(AEC)field,with either significant or final decision-making authority on reviewing,issuing,and approving change orders responded to the survey.Results indicated that owners are the primary source followed by consultants and contractors,respectively.Some of the more important control measures identified in this research are collaboration and visualization technologies.

The Complicated Security Dilemma and Armament Trends in the Middle East: The Order and Change Predicaments

The security dilemma is a common problem faced with the states in the ongoing anarchic international system.It does matter in the Middle East like the other ones and also has its impact on the arms races in the region too.Meanwhile there are some characters named as the order and change predicaments such as the colonial background,weak infrastructure of state construction,and the identity politics embedded in the region that do convert the current complex security dilemma into a complicated one.Not only does it have effect on the regional order,the arm race and disarmament,and also offense/defense paradox,but also does it get on the violent bandwagon in the region.Synergies of the both dilemmas did lead the region into the domestic environment change alongside of regional disorder too.Non-neutral involving the trans-regional powers into the(in)security situation in the region not only did not mitigate the situation but also volatile it too.In conclusion the paper does strive to introduce three phrased manners for transition of the complicated security dilemma.

A Comparative Analysis of Visualization Methods in Architecture:Employing Virtual Reality to Support the Decision-Making Process in the Architecture,Engineering,and Construction Industry

The design process of the built environment relies on the collaborative effort of all parties involved in the project.During the design phase,owners,end users,and their representatives are expected to make the most critical design and budgetary decisions-shaping the essential traits of the project,hence emerge the need and necessity to create and integrate mechanisms to support the decision-making process.Design decisions should not be based on assumptions,past experiences,or imagination.An example of the numerous problems that are a result of uninformed design decisions is“change orders”,known as the deviation from the original scope of work,which leads to an increase of the overall cost,and changes to the construction schedule of the project.The long-term aim of this inquiry is to understand the user’s behavior,and establish evidence-based control measures,which are actions and processes that can be implemented in practice to decrease the volume and frequency of the occurrence of change orders.The current study developed a foundation for further examination by proposing potential control measures,and testing their efficiency,such as integrating Virtual Reality(VR).The specific aim was to examine the effect of different visualization methods(i.e.,VR vs.construction drawings)on,(1)how well the subjects understand the information presented about the future/planned environment;(2)the subjects’perceived confidence in what the future environment will look like;(3)the likelihood of changing the built environment;(4)design review time;and(5)accuracy in reviewing and understanding the design.

A Changing World Order

2013 is an important year for South Africa. The country will host the Fifth BRICS Summit in March and also celebrates the 15th anniversary of the establish- ment of diplomatic relations with China. On January 31, Bheki Langa, South African Ambassador to China, sat down with ChinAffica Assistant Executive Editor Tang Qinghua and shared his thoughts on the upcoming BRICS Summit and relations between China and South Africa, An edited version of his opinions follows：